Artwork
Madonna and Child with the Little St. John Baptist
Madonna and Child with the Little St. John Baptist is an unspecified painting by the High Renaissance artist Lorenzo di Credi. It dates from 1508 and is held in the collection of the Detroit Institute of Arts.
About this work
Overview
Created circa 1508, this oil painting presents the Virgin Mary seated with the infant Jesus on her lap, accompanied by a youthful John the Baptist. The trio is placed before a tranquil landscape of gentle hills and water, rendered in muted earth tones that convey a calm devotional atmosphere. The work belongs to the collection of the Detroit Institute of Arts.
Subject & Meaning
The composition follows a traditional Christian motif that emphasizes the familial bond between Mary, Christ, and the future forerunner, John the Baptist. The infant Jesus is depicted nude, a symbol of his humanity, while John holds a modest staff, hinting at his prophetic role. Their gentle interactions suggest themes of innocence and divine destiny.
Technique & Style
Executed in the High Renaissance idiom of early 16th‑century Florence, the painting displays balanced proportions, soft modeling of forms, and a restrained palette dominated by greens, browns, and ochres. The figures are rendered with delicate chiaroscuro, and the background landscape is treated with atmospheric perspective, creating depth without disrupting the intimate focus on the saints.
History & Provenance
The artist, Lorenzo di Credi, trained in Andrea del Verrocchio’s workshop alongside contemporaries such as Leonardo da Vinci. After remaining in private hands for several centuries, the canvas entered the Detroit Institute of Arts in the 20th century, where it has been displayed as part of the museum’s Renaissance holdings.
Artist & collection
Artist
Lorenzo di Credi (1456/59 – January 12, 1537) was an Italian Renaissance painter and sculptor best known for his paintings of religious subjects, and portraits.
